Reopening the Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility as an adult prison or training academy was never part of a state plan to address prison overcrowding, said a state official Thursday in a state legislative hearing.

Instead, the decision to stop the sale of the 73-acre property was made at the last minute in response to concerns it might be needed, said James Tilton, director of the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

“It was brought to my attention, Why not consider this site? What happens if you don’t get some of the beds you’re asking for?’” Tilton said.

“I couldn’t argue with that,” he said. “It’s an option that needs to be put on the table.”

Tilton was testifying at a hearing of the Senate Select Committee on Prison Population, Management and Capacity on prison overcrowding and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s plan to address it.